Counter-solar power plant

ABSTRACT

A counter-solar power plant may include a controller configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, the instructions including operations to receive data associated with power outputs of a plurality of legacy solar-only resources (LSORs), determine an estimated power output of the plurality of LSORs based on the received data, obtain a target power delivery profile of the plurality of LSORs, the target power delivery profile including a plurality of target power outputs, determine an output of a CSPP renewable energy system (RES) and a charge/discharge of a CSPP energy storage system (ESS) such that a combined output of the CSPP and the estimated power output of the plurality of LSORs satisfies at least one of the plurality of target power outputs of the target power delivery profile, and control the CSPP RES and CSPP ESS according to the determined CSPP RES output and CSPP ESS charge/discharge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No.17/873,489, filed Jul. 26, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

A legacy solar-only resource (LSOR) produces power using a solar arrayand provides this power for use either locally or on a grid. An LSORoutputs power dependent upon solar irradiance, resulting in high outputin the middle of the day, low output in the morning and evening, and nooutput at night. Solar irradiance also varies due to weather and cloudpatterns. Areas with many LSORs have the issue that compensating forvariation in solar power output may require ramping output from othersources, such as fossil fuel power plants, up or down very quickly. Thespeed of the ramp-up or ramp-down may be greater than was envisaged whenthe fossil fuel plants were designed, resulting in reduced fuelefficiency, increased emissions, increased maintenance requirements, andshorter useful lifetimes for the fossil fuel plants.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a counter-solar power plant(CSPP) including a controller configured to execute instructions storedin a memory, the instructions including operations including: receivedata associated with a power output of a legacy solar-only resource(LSOR), determine an estimated power output of the LSOR based on thereceived data, and obtain a target power delivery profile including aplurality of target power outputs each indicating a target amount ofpower for the LSOR and the CSPP to deliver at different times of a timeperiod. The operations may also include: determine an output of a CSPPrenewable energy system (RES) and a charge/discharge of a CSPP energystorage system (ESS) such that a combined output of the CSPP and theestimated power output of the LSOR best satisfies at least one of theplurality of target power outputs of the target power delivery profilethroughout the time period, and during the time period, adjusting an RESsetpoint of an RES inverter coupled to the CSPP RES and an ESS setpointof an ESS inverter coupled to the CSPP ESS to achieve the determinedCSPP RES output and CSPP ESS charge/discharge.

Receiving the data associated with the power output of the LSOR mayinclude receiving the data at different times the during the timeperiod, and determining the estimated power output of the LSOR mayinclude determining the estimated power output at each of the differenttimes based on the received data.

The CSPP may include a plurality of LSORs, and the data associated withthe power outputs of the plurality of LSORs may include outputs measuredby a real-time metering system at each LSOR of the plurality of LSORs,where the controller is configured to aggregate the measured outputs tocalculate the estimated power output of the plurality of LSORs.

The CSPP may include a plurality of LSORs, and the data associated withthe power outputs of the plurality of LSORs may include irradiance datacollected near the plurality of LSORs, and the controller may beconfigured to calculate an expected power output for each LSOR of theplurality of LSORs based on the irradiance data, and aggregate theexpected power output for each LSOR to determine the estimated poweroutput of the plurality of LSORs.

The controller of the CSPP may be configured to calculate the expectedpower output for each respective LSOR of the plurality of LSORs based onthe irradiance data by calculating an irradiance for each respectiveLSOR of the plurality of LSORs using the irradiance data and calculatingthe expected output for each respective LSOR based on a conversionefficiency of the respective LSOR.

The CSPP may include a plurality of LSORs, and the data associated withthe power outputs of the plurality of LSORs may include historic outputdata of the plurality of LSORs. The controller may be configured tocalculate an expected power output for each LSOR of the plurality ofLSORs based on the historic output data and aggregate the expected poweroutput for each LSOR to determine the estimated power output of theplurality of LSORs.

The controller of the CSPP may be configured to calculate the expectedpower output for each LSOR of the plurality of LSORs based on thehistoric output data by comparing current parameters of each of theLSORs to past parameters associated with the historic output data andgenerating a similarity score for each set of past parameters based onsimilarity to the current parameters of each LSOR, matching sets of pastparameters to the current parameters based on the sets of pastparameters satisfying a similarity threshold, and setting the expectedpower output for each LSOR to a past power output associated with thematching set of past parameters.

The CSPP may include a plurality of LSORs, and the data associated withthe power outputs of the plurality of LSORs may include outputs measuredat a subset of the plurality of LSORs that each include a real-timemetering system. The controller may be configured to comparecharacteristics of the subset of the plurality of LSORs to each of theplurality of LSORs not of the subset that do not include a real-timemetering system and calculate outputs for each of the plurality of LSORsnot of the subset based on the compared characteristics. The controllermay be configured to calculate the estimated power output of theplurality of LSORs using the measured outputs of the subset and thecalculated outputs of the plurality of LSORs not of the subset.

The CSPP may be connected to an interconnection infrastructure of theLSOR.

The CSPP may include a CSPP ESS having a power capacity equal to orgreater than the plurality of target power outputs of the target powerdelivery profile.

The CSPP may include a plurality of RESs and a plurality of ESSs. Thecontroller may be configured to adjust RES setpoints of the plurality ofRESs and ESS setpoints of the plurality of ESSs to achieve an aggregateCSPP RES output equal to the determined CSPP RES output and an aggregateCSPP ESS output equal to the determined CSPP ESS charge/discharge.

Aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a method includingreceiving, by a controller executing instructions stored in a memory,data associated with power outputs of a legacy solar-only resource(LSOR), determining, by the controller, an estimated power output of theLSOR based on the received data, and obtaining, by the controller, atarget power delivery profile. The target power delivery profile mayinclude a plurality of target power outputs to deliver at differenttimes of a time period. The method may also include determining, by thecontroller, an output of a counter-solar power plant (CSPP) renewableenergy system (RES) and a charge/discharge of a CSPP energy storagesystem (ESS) such that a combined output of the CSPP and the LSORsatisfies at least one of the plurality of target power outputs of thetarget power delivery profile throughout the time period, and during thetime period, adjusting, by the controller, an RES setpoint of an RESinverter coupled to the CSPP RES and an ESS setpoint of an ESS invertercoupled to the CSPP ESS to achieve the determined CSPP RES output andCSPP ESS charge/discharge.

Within the method, the step of receiving the data associated with thepower output of the LSOR may include receiving the data at differenttimes the during the time period, and the step of determining theestimated power output of the LSOR may include determining the estimatedpower output at each of the different times based on the received data.

The method may be performed with a plurality of LSORs, and the dataassociated with the power outputs of the plurality of LSORs may includeoutputs measured by a real-time metering system at each LSOR of theplurality of LSORs, where the controller is configured to aggregate themeasured outputs to calculate the estimated power output of theplurality of LSORs.

The method may be performed with a plurality of LSORs, and the dataassociated with the power outputs of the plurality of LSORs may includeirradiance data collected near the plurality of LSORs. The method mayfurther include calculating an expected power output for each LSOR ofthe plurality of LSORs based on the irradiance data and aggregating theexpected power output for each LSOR to determine the estimated poweroutput of the plurality of LSORs.

Within the method, the step of calculating the expected power output foreach LSOR of the plurality of LSORs based on the irradiance data mayinclude calculating an irradiance for each LSOR of the plurality ofLSORs using the irradiance data and calculating the expected poweroutput for each LSOR using the irradiance for each LSOR and a conversionefficiency of each LSOR.

The method may be performed with a plurality of LSORs, and the dataassociated with the power outputs of the plurality of LSORs may includehistoric output data of the plurality of LSORs. The method may furtherinclude calculating an expected power output for each LSOR of theplurality of LSORs based on the historic output data and aggregating theexpected power output for each LSOR to determine the estimated poweroutput of the plurality of LSORs.

Within the method, the step of calculating the expected power output foreach LSOR of the plurality of LSORs based on the historic output datamay include comparing current parameters of each LSOR of the pluralityof LSORs to past parameters associated with the historic output data andgenerating a similarity score for each set of past parameters based onsimilarity to the current parameters of each LSOR, matching a set ofpast parameters to the current parameters based on the set of pastparameters satisfying a similarity threshold, and setting the expectedpower output for each LSOR to a past power output associated with thematching set of past parameters.

The method may be performed with a plurality of LSORs, and the dataassociated with the power outputs of the plurality of LSORs may includeoutputs measured at a subset of the plurality of LSORs that each includea real-time metering system. The method may further include comparingcharacteristics of the subset of the plurality of LSORs to each of theplurality of LSORs not of the subset that do not include a real-timemetering system, calculating outputs for each of the plurality of LSORsnot of the subset based on the compared characteristics, and calculatingthe estimated power output of the plurality of LSORs using the measuredoutputs of the subset and the calculated outputs of the plurality ofLSORs not of the subset.

Aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a non-transitorycomputer readable medium including instructions that, when executed by aprocessor, cause the processor to receive data associated with a poweroutput of a legacy solar-only resource (LSOR), determine an estimatedpower output of the LSOR based on the received data, and obtain a targetpower delivery profile of the LSOR, the target power delivery profileincluding a plurality of target power outputs to deliver at differenttimes of a time period. The processor may also determine an output of acounter-solar power plant (CSPP) renewable energy system (RES) and acharge/discharge of a CSPP energy storage system (ESS) such that acombined output of the CSPP and the LSOR satisfies at least one of theplurality of target power outputs of the target power delivery profilethroughout the time period, and during the time period, the processormay adjust an RES setpoint of an RES inverter coupled to the CSPP RESand an ESS setpoint of an ESS inverter coupled to the CSPP ESS toachieve the determined CSPP RES output and CSPP ESS charge/discharge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It isnoted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry,various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of thevarious features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity ofdiscussion.

FIG. 1 is an example legacy solar-only resource (LSOR), in accordancewith one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an example counter-solar power plant (CSPP) connected to aninterconnection infrastructure of an LSOR upstream of a transformer ofthe LSOR, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 is an example counter-solar power plant (CSPP) connected to aninterconnection infrastructure of an LSOR downstream of a transformer ofthe interconnection infrastructure, in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 4 is an example counter-solar power plant (CSPP) connected to aninterconnection infrastructure of an LSOR upstream of a transformer ofthe interconnection infrastructure, where the CSPP is a wind farm, inaccordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an example counter-solar power plant (CSPP) connected to apower grid to which are connected a plurality of LSORs.

FIG. 6 is an example counter-solar power plant (CSPP) connected to apower grid to which are connected a plurality of LSORs, where acounter-solar energy management system receives irradiance data fromsensors associated with the plurality of LSORs.

FIG. 7 is an example counter-solar power plant (CSPP connected to apower grid to which are connected a plurality of LSORs, where acounter-solar energy management system receives meter data from metersassociated with the plurality of LSORs.

FIG. 8 is an example flowchart illustrating operations for controlling aCSPP, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9 is an example flowchart illustrating operations for constructingand controlling a CSPP, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 10 is an example output of an example LSOR, in accordance with oneor more embodiments.

FIG. 11 is an example combined output of an example CSPP and an exampleLSOR, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 12 is another example combined output of an example CSPP and anexample LSOR, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 13 is another example output of an example LSOR, in accordance withone or more embodiments.

FIG. 14 is yet another example combined output of an example CSPP and anexample LSOR, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure solve the technical problem ofsmoothing the output of a legacy solar-only resource (LSOR). An LSOR hasa “peaky” power output profile, meaning that an LSOR output risessharply as the sun rises, peaks around noon, and falls sharply as thesun sets. This power output profile does not match power usage patterns,so the LSOR output is supplemented by other power sources. In the caseof the LSOR being connected to the grid, fossil fuel plants are used tosupplement the LSOR output. The fossil fuel plants, however, may not benot designed to ramp up output or ramp down output as rapidly as neededto counteract the rapid ramp-downs and ramp-ups of an LSOR. This mayresult in reduced fuel efficiency, increased emissions, increasedmaintenance requirements, and shorter useful lifetimes for the fossilfuel plants. An advantage of a counter-solar power plant (CSPP) is thatit produces power to complement the LSOR output, counteracting the riseand fall of the LSOR output. Thus, a combined CSPP-LSOR output has muchless variability than the LSOR output. The smooth, consistent CSPP-LSORoutput is also achieved without resorting to fossil fuel power plants,resulting in less emissions.

The use of a CSPP also solves the technical problem of excess powerproduction in the middle of the day when solar output is highest. Addingadditional solar resources serves to increase solar output in themorning and evening, but due to the peaky nature of solar output, morepower than is needed is produced in the middle of the day. Adding a CSPPinstead of additional solar solves the problem of having not enoughpower in the morning and the evening and having too much power in themiddle of the day, resulting in curtailed power in the middle of theday. A CSPP has a complementary output to that of an LSOR, so power isadded where it is needed most and not added where it is not needed,resulting in curtailing less power.

FIG. 1 is an example legacy solar-only power plant (LSOR) 100, inaccordance with one or more embodiments. The LSOR may include a legacyenergy management system (LEMS) 110. The LEMS 110 may be a controller.The LEMS 110 may send and receive signals from an inverter 124 and apower meter 130. The LSOR may include a renewable energy source (RES)122. The RES 122 may be a solar array. The inverter 124 may convert DCpower from the RES 122 to AC power. The inverter 124 may regulate anoutput of the RES 122 to control an LSOR output. The LEMS 110 maycontrol the LSOR inverter 224 to control the LSOR output. The LEMS 110may transmit setpoints to the LSOR inverter 224. The setpoints may bevoltage setpoints, current setpoints, or real and/or reactive powersetpoints. A setpoint is a command to an inverter to generate an outputspecified in the setpoint. The LSOR power meter 130 may provide feedbackto the LEMS 210 for controlling the LSOR output.

The LSOR may include a transformer 140, and an interconnectioninfrastructure 150. The interconnection infrastructure may include aswitchyard and local substation, a gen-tie, and a point-of-interconnect(POI) substation. The POI substation may connect to a grid, such as autility grid. The transformer 140 may step up a voltage of the LSORoutput for transmitting power through the interconnection infrastructureto the grid.

The LSOR may have a power output profile which shows how the LSOR outputchanges over an interval. The LSOR power output profile may be anaverage of the LSOR output for a plurality of intervals, arepresentative interval from the plurality of intervals, or a weightedaverage of the plurality of intervals. For example, the LSOR poweroutput profile may show how the LSOR output changes over the course of aday. If the RES 122 is a solar array, the LSOR power output profile mayshow the LSOR output rise in the morning as the LSOR is exposed to moresunlight, peak at noon, and drop off through the afternoon and eveningas the sun sets. In some embodiments, a peak LSOR output may be limitedby a transmission capacity of the interconnection infrastructure 150. Inother embodiments, the transmission capacity of the interconnectioninfrastructure 150 may be based on the peak LSOR output. In someembodiments, the transmission capacity is no more than 150% of the peakLSOR output. The peak LSOR output is higher than an average LSOR output.The transmission capacity of the interconnection infrastructure 150 maybe underutilized. For example, if the RES 122 is a solar array, the peakLSOR output at noon may be much higher than the LSOR output in themorning and in the evening, meaning the transmission capacity of theinterconnection infrastructure 150 is only fully used at noon and onlypartially used in the morning and the evening.

FIG. 2 is an example counter-solar power plant (CSPP) connected to anLSOR interconnection infrastructure 250 upstream of an LSOR transformer240, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The LSOR may be the LSOR of FIG. 1 . The LSOR may include a legacyenergy management system (LEMS) 210. The LEMS 210 may be or include acontroller. The LEMS 210 may send and receive signals from an LSORinverter 224 and an LSOR power meter 230. The LSOR may include an LSORrenewable energy source (RES) 222. The LSOR RES 222 may be a solararray. The LSOR may include a transformer 240, an interconnectioninfrastructure power meter 245, and an LSOR interconnectioninfrastructure 250. In some embodiments, the interconnectioninfrastructure power meter 245 may be in a gen-tie of theinterconnection infrastructure. The interconnection infrastructure powermeter 245 may be added to the LSOR interconnection infrastructure 250when the CSPP is connected to the LSOR interconnection infrastructure250. The LSOR interconnection infrastructure 250 may include aswitchyard and local substation, the gen-tie, and a POI substation.

The LEMS 210 may control the LSOR inverter 224 to regulate an LSORoutput. The LEMS 210 may transmit LSOR inverter setpoints to the LSORinverter 224. The LSOR inverter setpoints may be voltage setpoints,current setpoints, or power setpoints. The LSOR power meter 230 mayprovide feedback to the LEMS 210 for controlling the LSOR output. TheLSOR inverter 224 may convert DC power from the LSOR RES 222 to ACpower.

The CSPP may include a counter-solar energy management system (CEMS)211. The CEMS 211 may be a controller. The CEMS may send and receivesignals from an RES inverter 225, a CSPP power meter 231, and an energystorage system (ESS) inverter 227. The CEMS 211 may send and receivesignals from the LEMS 210. The signals from the LEMS 210 may includeLSOR inverter setpoints for the LSOR inverter 224 and the LSOR poweroutput, or an indication of the LSOR power output, as measured by theLSOR power meter 230. The CEMS 211 may transmit RES inverter setpointsto the RES inverter 225. The RES inverter setpoints may be voltagesetpoints, current setpoints, or power setpoints. The CEMS may transmitESS inverter setpoints to the ESS inverter 227. The ESS invertersetpoints may be voltage setpoints, current setpoints, or powersetpoints. The ESS inverter 227 may be a bidirectional inverter. The

CSPP may include an energy storage system (ESS) 229. The CSPP mayinclude a CSPP RES 223. The CSPP RES 223 may be a solar array, windfarm, or any other type of RES. The ESS 229 may be a battery energystorage system or any other type of energy storage system.

The ESS 229 may be charged using power received from the CSPP RES 223.The ESS 229 may discharge to provide power to the transformer 240through the CSPP power meter 231. The ESS inverter 227 may be configuredto regulate a charge/discharge of the ESS 229. The ESS inverter 227 mayconvert AC power from the RES inverter 225 to DC power to charge the ESS229. The ESS inverter 227 may convert DC power from the ESS 229 to ACpower to be sent to the transformer 240. The CEMS 211 may control theRES inverter 225 and the ESS inverter 227 to regulate how much power isgenerated by the CSPP RES 223 and how much power is charged to the ESS229 or discharged from the ESS 229 in order to control a CSPP output.The CEMS 211 may control the RES inverter 225 and the ESS 227 byadjusting setpoints of the RES inverter 225 and the ESS 227. The CSPPpower meter 231 may measure the CSPP output and provide feedback to theCEMS 211 for controlling the CSPP output. The feedback to the CEMS 211may be used to control the CSPP output in a closed-loop control systemsuch that the measured output power of the CSPP is equal to the lesserof a power level based on a power sale agreement or on profitabilitybased on current and expected market pricing for energy, or thedifference between the transmission capacity and the LSOR output.

The combined LSOR output and CSPP output may be received by thetransformer 240. The transformer 240 may step up the combined output fortransmission through the LSOR interconnection infrastructure 250. Theinterconnection infrastructure power meter 245 may measure an amount ofpower transmitted through the LSOR interconnection infrastructure 250.

The LSOR may have a power output profile which shows how the LSOR outputchanges over a time period. For example, the LSOR power output profilemay show how the LSOR output changes over the course of a day. If theLSOR RES 222 is a solar array, the LSOR power output profile may showthe LSOR output rise in the morning as the LSOR is exposed to moresunlight, peak at noon, and drop off through the afternoon and eveningas the sun sets. In some embodiments, a peak LSOR output may be limitedby a transmission capacity of the LSOR interconnection infrastructure250. In other embodiments, the transmission capacity of the LSORinterconnection infrastructure 250 may be based on the peak LSOR output.In some embodiments, the transmission capacity is no more than 150% ofthe peak LSOR output. The peak LSOR output is higher than an averageLSOR output. The transmission capacity of the LSOR interconnectioninfrastructure 250 may be underutilized. For example, if the RES 122 isa solar array, the peak LSOR output at noon may be much higher than theLSOR output in the morning and in the evening, meaning the transmissioncapacity of the LSOR interconnection infrastructure 250 is only fullyused at noon and only partially used in the morning and the evening.

In some embodiments, an output capacity of the CSPP RES 223 may be sizedbased on an LSOR transmission capacity of the LSOR interconnectioninfrastructure. In some embodiments, the CSPP RES output capacity may besized to be equal to the LSOR interconnection infrastructuretransmission capacity. In other embodiments, the CSPP RES outputcapacity may be sized such that the CSPP RES 223 may output sufficientpower to fully utilize the LSOR transmission capacity. In yet otherembodiments, the CSPP RES output capacity may be sized such that theCSPP RES 223 may output sufficient power, when combined with the LSORRES output and the ESS output, to fully utilize the LSOR transmissioncapacity. The CSPP RES output capacity may be sized such that the CSPPRES 223 may output sufficient power, when combined with the LSOR RESoutput and the ESS output, to complement the LSOR power output profileto fully utilize the LSOR transmission capacity.

A storage capacity of the ESS 229 may be based on the interconnectioninfrastructure transmission capacity and the LSOR power output profile.For example, the CSPP RES output capacity may be sized and the ESSstorage capacity may be sized such that the CSPP RES 223 outputssufficient power and the ESS 229 stores and/or outputs sufficient powerto complement the LSOR power output profile to fully utilize the LSORtransmission capacity. In another example, The CSPP RES output capacitymay be sized and the ESS storage capacity may be sized such that theCSPP RES 223 outputs sufficient power to complement the LSOR poweroutput profile and charge the ESS 229 so the ESS 229 can outputsufficient power to complement the LSOR power output profile to fullyutilize the LSOR transmission capacity. The ESS storage capacity issized to be able to store the CSPP RES output and provide stored powerto complement the LSOR power output profile to fully utilize the LSORtransmission capacity. In this example, the CSPP RES 223 may outputsufficient power to complement the LSOR power output profile to fullyutilize the LSOR transmission capacity and charge the ESS withsufficient power such that when the CSPP RES 223 does not outputsufficient power to complement the LSOR power output profile, the ESS229 may output sufficient power to complement the LSOR power output. Inthis example, the CSPP RES 223 may be a solar array which produces powerduring daylight hours and charges the ESS 229. Before and after daylighthours when the CSPP RES 223 is not producing power, the ESS 229 mayprovide stored power to complement the LSOR power output profile.

In some embodiments, the CSPP RES 223 and ESS 229 are sized togetherbased on the LSOR transmission capacity and the LSOR power outputprofile. The CSPP RES 223 and ESS 229 may be sized such that a CSPP-LSORcombined power output is substantially equal to the LSOR transmissioncapacity for a target interval. The target interval may be based on theLSOR power output profile. For example, the LSOR power output profilemay show the LSOR power output for a day. The target interval may be aportion of the day or the entire day, in which case the CSPP-LSORcombined power output may always be substantially equal to the LSORtransmission capacity. The CSPP RES 223 may be sized to produce anamount of power equal to the LSOR transmission capacity for the targetinterval minus an amount of power produced by the LSOR RES 222 as shownin the LSOR power output profile. The ESS 229 may be sized to storepower generated by the CSPP RES 223 and output the stored power suchthat the CSPP-LSOR combined output is substantially equal to the LSORtransmission capacity.

In some embodiments, the CEMS 221 is configured to control the CSPPoutput such that a variability of the CSPP-LSOR combined output has alower variability than a variability of the LSOR output. Variability ofan output is a measure of how much individual values of the outputdiffer from a moving average of the output or from an expected pattern.In the case of variability of the LSOR output, the pattern may be theLSOR power output profile based on historic LSOR outputs. The patternmay be a pattern of how the LSOR output changes through a day. The CEMS211 may control the CSPP RES output and the ESS charge/discharge tocontrol the CSPP output. The CEMS 211 may track the CSPP power outputusing the CSPP power meter 231 and track the LSOR power output using theLSOR power meter 230. In some embodiments, the CSPP power meter 231 andthe LSOR power meter 230 continuously transmit an instantaneous CSPPoutput and instantaneous LSOR output to the CEMS 211. In otherembodiments, the CEMS 211 polls the CSPP power meter 231 and the LSORpower meter 230 at periodic intervals for the instantaneous CSPP outputand the instantaneous LSOR output. In yet other embodiments, the CEMS211 polls the CSPP power meter 231 and the LSOR power meter 230 atperiodic intervals for a moving average of the CSPP output and a movingaverage of the LSOR output. The variability of the LSOR output may bedetermined in real-time and/or based on the LSOR power output profile.In some embodiments, the variability of the LSOR output may bedetermined by comparing measured LSOR output values to the LSOR poweroutput profile based on historic LSOR outputs. In other embodiments, thevariability of the LSOR output may be determined by comparing measuredLSOR output values to a moving average of measured LSOR output values.In yet other embodiments, the variability of the LSOR output may bedetermined by comparing measured LSOR output values to a set of idealLSOR output values. The set of ideal LSOR output values may bedetermined based on a representative or ideal irradiance values and theconversion efficiency of the LSOR. The set of ideal LSOR output valuesmay be equal to the LSOR power output profile. The CEMS 211 may regulatethe CSPP output and/or the ESS charge/discharge based on the variabilityof the LSOR output such that the CSPP-LSOR combined output has a lowervariability than a variability of the LSOR output. By lowering thevariability of the CSPP-LSOR combined output, the CSPP functions as afirming plant for the LSOR.

In some embodiments, the CEMS 211 is configured to control the CSPPoutput such that the CSPP-LSOR combined output does not exceed the LSORtransmission capacity. The LSOR output and/or the CSPP-LSOR output maybe determined in real time. The CEMS 211 may regulate the CSPP outputand/or the ESS charge/discharge based on the LSOR output such that theCSPP-LSOR combined output does not exceed the LSOR transmissioncapacity. The CEMS 211 may track the CSPP power output using the CSPPpower meter 231 and track the LSOR power output using the LSOR powermeter 230. The CEMS 211 may track the CSPP-LSOR combined power outputusing the interconnection infrastructure power meter 245. The CEMS 211may control the CSPP such that an instantaneous sum of the CSPP output,as measured at the CSPP power meter 331, and the LSOR output, asmeasured at the LSOR power meter 330, does not exceed a maximumpermitted power flow at the point-of-interconnect (POI) to the grid. TheCEMS 211 may control the CSPP output according to a power sale agreementand/or based on current and expected market pricing for power whileensuring that the CSPP-LSOR combined output does not exceed the LSORtransmission capacity. In some embodiments, the CEMS 211 may control theCSPP such that a rate of change of the CSPP-LSOR combined power outputdoes not exceed an allowed rate of change at the POI. The CEMS 211 maycalculate a rate of change of the CSPP-LSOR output as change in theCSPP-LSOR output over time. The CEMS 211 may compare the rate of changeof the CSPP-LSOR output and compare it to a maximum ramp-down rate(e.g., a stored maximum ramp-down rate) and a maximum ramp-up rate(e.g., a stored maximum ramp-up rate) of the POI. The CEMS 211 maycontrol the CSPP output such that a ramp-down rate of the CSPP-LSORcombined power output does not exceed the maximum ramp-down rate andthat a ramp-up rate of the CSPP-LSOR combined power output does notexceed the maximum ramp-up rate. Avoiding exceeding the maximumramp-down and ramp-up rates of the POI avoids causing harm to the gridand violating agreements with the utility organization operating thegrid.

In some embodiments, the CEMS 211 and the LEMS 210 may transmit invertersetpoints of the CSPP and the LSOR to a shared energy management system.The shared energy management system may resolve conflicts arising fromindependently set inverter setpoints of the CSPP and the LSOR. If thesum of the CSPP output and the LSOR output exceeds the LSORinterconnection infrastructure transmission capacity, the shared energymanagement system may send a signal to the CEMS 211 to reduce the CSPPoutput. The inverter setpoints of the CSPP and the LSOR may be sent tothe shared energy management system for approval by the CEMS 211 and theLEMS 210 before being applied to inverters of the CSPP and the LSOR. Theshared energy management system may compare the CSPP output and the LSORoutput such that the CSPP output complements the LSOR output. The sharedenergy management system may receive inverter setpoints of the CSPP andthe LSOR, calculate a combined output based on the received invertersetpoints, compare the combined output to a target output, and adjustthe inverter setpoints of the CSPP so the combined output is equal tothe target output. The shared energy management system may determineinverter setpoints for inverters of the CSPP and the LSOR based on thetransmission capacity, an instantaneous LSOR output, and aninstantaneous CSPP output. The shared energy management system may setthe CSPP output to be equal to the transmission capacity minus the LSORoutput. The shared energy management system controls the CSPP outputsuch that the CSPP output does not exceed the transmission capacityminus the LSOR output.

FIG. 3 is an example counter-solar power plant (CSPP) connected to aninterconnection infrastructure of an LSOR downstream of an LSORtransformer 340, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The LSOR may include a legacy energy management system (LEMS) 310. TheLEMS 310 may be a controller. The LEMS 310 may send and receive signalsfrom an LSOR inverter 324 and an LSOR power meter 330. The LSOR mayinclude an LSOR renewable energy source (RES) 322. The LSOR RES 322 maybe a solar array. The LSOR may include an LSOR RES inverter 324. TheLEMS 310 may adjust setpoints of the LSOR RES inverter 324 to control anLSOR RES output. A setpoint is a command to an inverter to generate anoutput specified in the setpoint. The LSOR may include an LSORtransformer 340, an interconnection infrastructure power meter 345, andan LSOR interconnection infrastructure 350. In some embodiments, theinterconnection infrastructure power meter 345 may be in a gen-tie ofthe interconnection infrastructure. The interconnection infrastructurepower meter 345 may be added to the LSOR interconnection infrastructure350 when the CSPP is connected to the LSOR interconnectioninfrastructure 350. The LSOR interconnection infrastructure 350 mayinclude a switchyard and local substation, the gen-tie, and a POIsubstation.

The CSPP may include a counter-solar energy management system (CEMS)311. The CEMS 311 may be a controller. The CEMS may send and receivesignals from an RES inverter 325, a CSPP power meter 331, and an energystorage system (ESS) inverter 327. The CEMS 311 may send and receivesignals from the LEMS 310. The signals from the LEMS 310 may includeLSOR inverter setpoints for the LSOR inverter 324 and the LSOR poweroutput, or an indication of the LSOR power output, as measured by theLSOR power meter 330. The CEMS 311 may transmit RES inverter setpointsto the CSPP RES inverter 325. The RES inverter setpoints may be voltagesetpoints, current setpoints, or power setpoints. The CEMS may transmitESS inverter setpoints to the ESS inverter 327. The ESS invertersetpoints may be voltage setpoints, current setpoints, or powersetpoints. The ESS inverter 327 may be a bidirectional inverter. TheCSPP may include an energy storage system (ESS) 329. The CSPP mayinclude a CSPP RES 323. The CSPP RES 323 may be a solar array, windfarm, or any other type of RES. The ESS 229 may be a battery energystorage system or any other type of energy storage system.

The LEMS 310 may control the LSOR inverter 324 to regulate an LSORoutput. The LEMS 310 may transmit LSOR inverter setpoints to the LSORinverter 324. The LSOR inverter setpoints may be voltage setpoints,current setpoints, or power setpoints. The LSOR power meter 330 mayprovide feedback to the LEMS 310 for controlling the LSOR output. TheLSOR inverter 324 may convert DC power from the LSOR RES 322 to ACpower. The LSOR transformer 340 may step up the LSOR output fortransmission through the LSOR interconnection infrastructure 350. Theinterconnection infrastructure power meter 345 may measure an amount ofpower transmitted through the LSOR interconnection infrastructure 350.

The ESS 329 may be charged using power received from the CSPP RES 323.The ESS 329 may discharge to provide power to the CSPP transformer 341through the CSPP power meter 331. The ESS inverter 327 may be configuredto regulate a charge/discharge of the ESS 329. The ESS inverter 327 mayconvert AC power from the CSPP RES inverter 325 to DC power to chargethe ESS 329. The ESS inverter 327 may convert DC power from the ESS 329to AC power to be sent to the CSPP transformer 341. The CEMS 311 maycontrol the CSPP RES inverter 325 and the ESS inverter 327 to regulatehow much power is generated by the CSPP RES 323 and how much power ischarged to the ESS 329 or discharged from the ESS 329 in order tocontrol a CSPP output. The CSPP power meter 331 may measure the CSPPoutput and provide feedback to the CEMS 311 for controlling the CSPPoutput. The CSPP transformer 341 may step up the CSPP output fortransmission through the LSOR interconnection infrastructure 350. Theinterconnection infrastructure power meter 345 may measure an amount ofpower transmitted through the LSOR interconnection infrastructure 350.The feedback to the CEMS 311 may be used to control the CSPP output in aclosed-loop control system such that the measured output power of theCSPP remains equal to the lesser of a power level based on a power saleagreement or on profitability based on current and expected marketpricing for energy, or the difference between the transmission capacityand the LSOR output.

The LSOR may have a power output profile which shows how the LSOR outputchanges over a time period. For example, the LSOR power output profilemay show how the LSOR output changes over the course of a day. If theLSOR RES 322 is a solar array, the LSOR power output profile may showthe LSOR output rise in the morning as the LSOR is exposed to moresunlight, peak at noon, and drop off through the afternoon and eveningas the sun sets. In some embodiments, a peak LSOR output may be limitedby a transmission capacity of the LSOR interconnection infrastructure350. In other embodiments, the transmission capacity of the LSORinterconnection infrastructure 350 may be based on the peak LSOR output.In some embodiments, the transmission capacity is no more than 150% ofthe peak LSOR output. The peak LSOR output is higher than an averageLSOR output. The transmission capacity of the LSOR interconnectioninfrastructure 350 may be underutilized. For example, if the RES 132 isa solar array, the peak LSOR output at noon may be much higher than theLSOR output in the morning and in the evening, meaning the transmissioncapacity of the LSOR interconnection infrastructure 350 is only fullyused at noon and only partially used in the morning and the evening.

In some embodiments, an output capacity of the CSPP RES 323 may be sizedbased on an LSOR transmission capacity of the LSOR interconnectioninfrastructure. In some embodiments, the CSPP RES output capacity may besized to be equal to the LSOR interconnection infrastructuretransmission capacity. In other embodiments, the CSPP RES outputcapacity may be sized such that the CSPP RES 323 may output sufficientpower to fully utilize the LSOR transmission capacity. In yet otherembodiments, the CSPP RES output capacity may be sized such that theCSPP RES 323 may output sufficient power, when combined with the LSORRES output and the ESS output, to fully utilize the LSOR transmissioncapacity. The CSPP RES output capacity may be sized such that the CSPPRES 323 may output sufficient power, when combined with the LSOR RESoutput and the ESS output, to complement the LSOR power output profileto fully utilize the LSOR transmission capacity.

A storage capacity of the ESS 329 may be based on the interconnectioninfrastructure transmission capacity and the LSOR power output profile.For example, the CSPP RES output capacity may be sized and the ESSstorage capacity may be sized such that the CSPP RES 323 outputssufficient power and the ESS 329 stores and/or outputs sufficient powerto complement the LSOR power output profile to fully utilize the LSORtransmission capacity. In another example, The CSPP RES output capacitymay be sized and the ESS storage capacity may be sized such that theCSPP RES 323 outputs sufficient power to complement the LSOR poweroutput profile and charge the ESS 329 so the ESS 329 can outputsufficient power to complement the LSOR power output profile to fullyutilize the LSOR transmission capacity. The ESS storage capacity issized to be able to store the CSPP RES output and provide stored powerto complement the LSOR power output profile to fully utilize the LSORtransmission capacity. In this example, the CSPP RES 323 may outputsufficient power to complement the LSOR power output profile to fullyutilize the LSOR transmission capacity and charge the ESS withsufficient power such that when the CSPP RES 323 does not outputsufficient power to complement the LSOR power output profile, the ESS329 may output sufficient power to complement the LSOR power output. Inthis example, the CSPP RES 323 may be a solar array which produces powerduring daylight hours and charges the ESS 329. Before and after daylighthours when the CSPP RES 323 is not producing power, the ESS 329 mayprovide stored power to complement the LSOR power output profile.

In some embodiments, the CSPP RES 323 and ESS 329 are sized togetherbased on the LSOR transmission capacity and the LSOR power outputprofile. The CSPP RES 323 and ESS 329 may be sized such that a CSPP-LSORcombined power output is substantially equal to the LSOR transmissioncapacity for a target interval. The target interval may be based on theLSOR power output profile. For example, the LSOR power output profilemay show the LSOR power output for a day. The target interval may be aportion of the day or the entire day, in which case the CSPP-LSORcombined power output will always be substantially equal to the LSORtransmission capacity. The CSPP RES 323 may be sized to produce anamount of power equal to the LSOR transmission capacity for the targetinterval minus an amount of power produced by the LSOR RES 322 as shownin the LSOR power output profile. The ESS 329 may be sized to storepower generated by the CSPP RES 323 and output the stored power suchthat the CSPP-LSOR combined output is substantially equal to the LSORtransmission capacity.

In some embodiments, the CEMS 321 is configured to control the CSPPoutput such that a variability of the CSPP-LSOR combined output has alower variability than a variability of the LSOR output. Variability ofan output is a measure of how much individual values of the outputdiffer from a moving average of the output or from a pattern associatedwith the output. The CEMS 321 may control the CSPP output to counteractthe variability of the LSOR output. For example, if the LSOR is a solararray and clouds pass in front of the solar array causing a temporarydrop in LSOR output, the CEMS 311 may raise the CSPP output to adjustfor the temporary drop in LSOR output. With the increased CSPP outputbalancing out the temporary drop in LSOR output, the CSPP-LSOR combinedoutput can remain steady and thus have less variability than the LSORoutput.

The CEMS 311 may control the CSPP RES output and the ESScharge/discharge to control the CSPP output. The CEMS 311 may track theCSPP power output using the CSPP power meter 331 and track the LSORpower output using the LSOR power meter 330. The variability of the LSORoutput may be determined in real-time by the LEMS 310 using the trackedLSOR power output from the LSOR power meter 330. In some embodiments, anexpected variability of the LSOR output may be determined based onhistoric LSOR output data and/or the LSOR power output profile, wherethe LSOR power output profile is an representation of an average LSORoutput. The CEMS 311 may regulate the CSPP output and/or the ESScharge/discharge based on the variability of the LSOR output such thatthe CSPP-LSOR combined output has a lower variability than a variabilityof the LSOR output. The CEMS 311 may adjust inverter setpoints for theCSPP RES inverter 325 and the ESS inverter 327 to control the CSPP RES323 and the ESS 329. The CEMS 311 may receive feedback from the LSORpower meter 330 to determine the LSOR output variability and control theCSPP RES 323 and ESS 329 to counteract the LSOR output variability. TheCEMS 311 may receive feedback from the interconnection infrastructurepower meter 345 to monitor the CSPP-LSOR combined output variability.

In some embodiments, the CEMS 311 is configured to control the CSPPoutput such that the CSPP-LSOR combined output does not exceed the LSORinterconnection infrastructure transmission capacity. The LSOR outputand/or the CSPP-LSOR output may be determined in real time. The CEMS 311may regulate the CSPP output and/or the ESS charge/discharge based onthe LSOR output such that the CSPP-LSOR combined output does not exceedthe LSOR transmission capacity. The CEMS 311 may track the CSPP poweroutput using the CSPP power meter 331 and track the LSOR power outputusing the LSOR power meter 330. The CEMS 311 may track the CSPP-LSORcombined power output using the interconnection infrastructure powermeter 345. The CEMS 311 may control the CSPP such that the instantaneoussum of the CSPP output and the LSOR output does not exceed a maximumpermitted power flow at the point-of-interconnect (POI) to the grid. TheCEMS 311 may control the CSPP output according to a power sale agreementand/or based on current and expected market pricing for power whileensuring that the CSPP-LSOR combined output does not exceed the LSORtransmission capacity. In some embodiments, the CEMS 311 may control theCSPP such that a rate of change of the CSPP-LSOR combined power outputdoes not exceed an allowed rate of change at the POI. The CEMS 311 maycontrol the CSPP such that a ramp-down rate of the CSPP-LSOR combinedpower output does not exceed a maximum ramp-down rate and that a ramp-uprate of the CSPP-LSOR combined power output does not exceed a maximumramp-up rate.

In some embodiments, the CEMS 311 and the LEMS 310 may transmit invertersetpoints of the CSPP and the LSOR to a shared energy management system.The shared energy management system may resolve conflicts arising fromindependently set inverter setpoints of the CSPP and the LSOR. If thesum of the CSPP output and the LSOR output exceeds the LSORinterconnection infrastructure transmission capacity, the shared energymanagement system may send a signal to the CEMS 311 to reduce the CSPPoutput. The inverter setpoints of the CSPP and the LSOR may be sent tothe shared energy management system for approval by the CEMS 311 and theLEMS 310 before being applied to inverters of the CSPP and the LSOR. Theshared energy management system may compare the CSPP output and the LSORoutput such that the CSPP output complements the LSOR output. The sharedenergy management system may receive inverter setpoints of the CSPP andthe LSOR, calculate a combined output based on the received invertersetpoints, compare the combined output to a target output, and adjustthe inverter setpoints of the CSPP so the combined output is equal tothe target output. The shared energy management system may determineinverter setpoints for inverters of the CSPP and the LSOR based on thetransmission capacity, an instantaneous LSOR output, and aninstantaneous CSPP output. The shared energy management system may setthe CSPP output to be equal to the transmission capacity minus the LSORoutput. The shared energy management system may control the CSPP suchthat the CSPP output does not exceed the transmission capacity minus theLSOR output.

FIG. 4 is an example CSPP connected to an interconnection infrastructureof an LSOR upstream of a transformer of the interconnectioninfrastructure, where the CSPP is a wind farm, in accordance with one ormore embodiments. FIG. 4 shows the example CSPP of FIG. 2 , wherein theLSOR RES 422 is a wind farm and the CSPP RES is a combination wind/solarfarm. Although FIG. 2 shows the LSOR RES 222 as a solar array and theCSPP RES 223 as a solar array, the LSOR RES 222 and CSPP RES 223 may beany RES, including, but not limited to, a wind farm, a solar farm, ageothermal plant, a biofuel plant, a tidal force generator, ahydroelectric generator, or any combination of RESs.

FIG. 5 is an example counter-solar power plant (CSPP) connected to apower grid to which are connected a plurality of LSORs 522. The CSPP mayinclude a counter-solar energy management system CEMS 511, a CSPP RES523, a CSPP RES inverter 525, an ESS 529, and an ESS inverter 527. TheESS inverter 527 may be a bidirectional inverter. The CSPP RES inverter525 may regulate a CSPP RES output. The ESS inverter 527 may regulate anESS charge/discharge. The ESS inverter 527 may selectively charge theESS 529 using the RES output and discharge the ESS 529 to provide power.The CEMS 511 may adjust setpoints of the CSPP RES inverter 525 and theESS 527 to regulate the CSPP RES output and the ESS charge/discharge.The CSPP may include a power meter 531 which measures a CSPP output. TheCSPP output is a combination of the CSPP RES output and the ESScharge/discharge. For example, if the CSPP RES 523 outputs 10,000 MW and5,000 MW are used to charge the ESS 529, the CSPP output is 5,000 MW. Inanother example, if the CSPP RES 523 outputs 10,000 MW the ESS 529discharges to output 5,000 MW, the CSPP output is 15,000 MW.

The CSPP may include a transformer 540. The transformer 540 may step upthe CSPP output to a higher voltage for use on a grid 555. The CSPP mayinclude an interconnection infrastructure 550. The interconnectioninfrastructure may include a switchyard and local substation, a gen-tie,and a point-of-of interconnect substation. The interconnectioninfrastructure 550 may connect to the grid 555. The grid 555 may be autility grid.

The grid may be connected to the plurality of LSORs 522. In someembodiments, the plurality of LSORs 522 may be rooftop solar arrays onresidential homes or businesses. In other embodiments, the plurality ofLSORs 522 may be dedicated solar power plants. The plurality of LSORs522 may not be connected directly to the CSPP. The plurality of LSORs522 may be connected to the grid 555. The plurality of LSORs 522 mayeach have an output. A power output of the plurality of LSORs 522 may bean aggregation of the outputs of each LSOR of the plurality of LSORs522.

The CSPP output may complement the output of the plurality of LSORs 522.The CSPP may serve as a firming plant to the plurality of LSORs 522. TheCEMS 511 may receive data associated with the power outputs of theplurality of LSORs 522. The CEMS 511 may determine an estimated poweroutput of the plurality of LSORs 522. The CEMS 511 may obtain a targetpower delivery profile including a plurality of target power outputs.The CEMS 511 may determine a CSPP RES output and an ESS charge/discharge(e.g., a ESS charge/discharge amount and/or schedule) such that acombined output of the CSPP and the plurality of LSORs 522 satisfies atleast one of the plurality of target power outputs of the target powerdelivery profile.

In an example, the grid 555 may transmit a target power delivery profileto the CEMS 511. The target power delivery profile may include aplurality of target power outputs, requiring amounts of power at varioustimes (e.g., various times during a defined time period). The CEMS 511may obtain a power delivery profile of the plurality of LSORs 522representing a typical output of the plurality of LSORs as determinedbased on historic outputs. The CEMS 511 may determine amounts of powerrequired at different times to make up the difference between the powerdelivery profile of the plurality of LSORs 522 and the target powerdelivery profile. The CEMS 511 may determine CSPP RES inverter setpointsand ESS inverter setpoints to generate a CSPP output to provide theamounts of power required at different times. The CEMS 511 may transmitthe CSPP RES inverter setpoints to the CSPP RES inverter 525 and the ESSinverter setpoints to the ESS inverter 527 to provide the CSPP outputsufficient to make up the difference between the power delivery profileof the plurality of LSORs 522 and the target power delivery profile. TheCSPP RES inverter setpoints and the ESS inverter setpoints may beadjusted based on an actual output of the plurality of LSORs.

In another example, the grid 555 may transmit a target power deliveryprofile to the CEMS 511, where the CEMS 511 uses real-time data todetermine a CSPP output. The target power delivery profile may include aplurality of target power outputs, requiring amounts of power at varioustimes. The CEMS 511 may obtain real-time data associated with the outputof the plurality of LSORs 522. Real-time data is data that is used as itis acquired. For example, real-time data may include metering data fromthe plurality of LSORs 522. Such real-time data may be compared againstthe target power delivery profile by the CEMS 511 as the real-time datais acquired. The CEMS 511 may calculate a current output of theplurality of LSORs 522, a difference between the current output of theplurality of LSORs 522, and a CSPP output equal to the difference. TheCEMS 511 may determine CSPP RES inverter setpoints and ESS invertersetpoints to generate the CSPP output. The CEMS 511 may transmit theCSPP RES inverter setpoints to the CSPP RES inverter 525 and the ESSinverter setpoints to the ESS inverter 527 to provide the CSPP output.

In some embodiments, the CEMS 511 may determine the CSPP output based onhistoric output data of the plurality of LSORs. The CEMS 511 maydetermine the estimated power output of the plurality of LSORs bycalculating an expected power output for each LSOR of the plurality ofLSORs based on the historic output data and aggregating the expectedpower output for each LSOR to determine the estimated power output ofthe plurality of LSORs. For example, a first LSOR has historic outputdata showing an output on a calendar day across multiple years. Theexpected output of the first LSOR for the calendar day may be an averageof the historic outputs for the calendar day. Calculating the expectedpower output for each LSOR of the plurality of LSORs may includedetermining a formula describing a relationship between past parametersof each of the LSORs and historic outputs of each of the LSORs andexecuting the formula using current characteristics of each of the LSORsas input. For example, parameters of the LSORs may include conversionfactor, local weather, cloud patterns, maintenance status, and otherparameters. Current parameters may be compared to past parameters toselect a day when the past parameters were most similar to the currentparameters. The expected power output can be estimated to be equal tothe historic output of the day when the past parameters were mostsimilar to the current parameters. In another example, weights areassigned to past parameters based on their effect on the output. Theweights are applied to the current parameters to calculate the expectedpower output. In yet another example, the current parameters of eachLSOR of the plurality of LSORs are compared to past parametersassociated with the historic output data and a similarity score isgenerated for each set of past parameters based on similarity to thecurrent parameters of each LSOR. The current parameters of each LSOR arematched with a set of past parameters satisfying a similarity thresholdand the expected power output for each LSOR is set equal to a past poweroutput associated with the matching set of past parameters. Theestimated power output of the plurality of LSORs may be an aggregationof the expected power output for each LSOR.

The CEMS 511 may use the estimated power output of the plurality ofLSORs to determine a charge/discharge schedule for the ESS 527. The CEMS511 may use the target power delivery profile and the estimated poweroutput of the plurality of LSORs to determine a future CSPP output. TheCEMS 511 may subtract the estimated power output of the plurality ofLSORs from the target power output at each time specified in the targetpower delivery profile to determine the future CSPP output at each time.The CEMS 511 may use a forecast of CSPP RES output to determine acharge/discharge schedule for the CSPP ESS to achieve the future CSPPoutput at each time.

FIG. 6 is an example counter-solar power plant (CSPP) connected to apower grid to which are connected a plurality of LSORs 622, where acounter-solar energy management system 611 receives irradiance data fromsensors 660 associated with the plurality of LSORs 622. The CSPP may bethe CSPP of FIG. 5 . The interconnection infrastructure 650 may be theinterconnection infrastructure 550 of FIG. 5 . The grid 655 may be thesame or similar to the grid 555 of FIG. 5 . The plurality of LSORs 622may be the same or similar to the plurality of LSORs 522 of FIG. 5 .

The sensors 660 may be irradiance sensors. The sensors 660 may measureirradiance in real time (e.g., irradiance measurements may be collectedand immediately transmitted for use by the CEMS 611). In someembodiments, the sensors 660 may be located near or associated with theplurality of LSORs 622. In other embodiments, the sensors 660 may belocated near or associated with the CSPP, if the CSPP is located nearenough (e.g., a distance within a defined threshold) the plurality ofLSORs 622 that the CSPP receives similar irradiance to the plurality ofLSORs 622. For example, if the CSPP and the plurality of LSORs 622 areclose enough to experience the same weather patterns, the CSPP may useirradiance measurements collected at the CSPP as an approximation ofirradiance at the plurality of LSORs 622. Using sensors 660 at the CSPPin this way may eliminate the need for multiple sensors 660 to bedistributed among the plurality of LSORs 622. The sensors 660 maytransmit irradiance data to the CEMS 611. The CEMS 611 may calculate anirradiance for each LSOR of the plurality of LSORs 622 based on theirradiance data. For example, the CEMS 611 may calculate an irradiancefor an LSOR of the plurality of LSORs 622 based on a measured irradianceof a sensor of the sensors 660 located near the LSOR. In anotherexample, the CEMS 611 may calculate an irradiance for an LSOR of theplurality of LSORs 622 by taking a weighted average of irradiance data,where weights are assigned to irradiance data based on distance (e.g.,the higher the distance, the higher or lower the respective weight) fromthe LSOR. In another example, the CEMS 611 may determine the amount ofpower a set of LSORs may generate by identify one or more sensors 660that are within a threshold distance of each of the set of LSORs,collecting and/or identifying data that the identified one or moresensors 660 generated, and calculating the amount of energy the set ofLSORs may generate based on the identified data. Accordingly, lesssensors may be used to calculate the output of LSORs, which may bebeneficial when calculating the amount of LSORs may generate in acrowded city with limited space to place sensors.

In an example, the plurality of LSORs 622 are rooftop solar modulesdistributed throughout a city. Irradiance sensors 660 are distributedthroughout the city, enabling modeling of an estimated output for theplurality of LSORs 622 due to time of day, atmospheric haze, and cloudpassage. Even if each LSOR of the plurality of LSORs 622 is not near anirradiance sensor of the sensors 660, the sensors 660 distributedthroughout the city give a general picture of irradiance for the citysuch that the output of the plurality of LSORs 622 can be estimated.

The CEMS 611 may, in real time, calculate an expected power output foreach LSOR of the plurality of LSORs 622 based on the irradiance dataand/or the calculated irradiance for each LSOR of the plurality of LSORs622. In some embodiments, the CEMS 611 may calculate the expected poweroutput for each respective LSOR based on the calculated irradiance foreach respective LSOR and a conversion efficiency of each respectiveLSOR. For example, the CEMS 611 may multiply the calculated irradianceby the conversion efficiency to calculate the expected power output. TheCEMS 611 may aggregate the expected power output for each LSOR of theplurality of LSORs 622 to determine an estimated power output of theplurality of LSORs 622.

The CEMS 611 may, in real time, determine a CSPP output such that acombined CSPP output and output of the plurality of LSORs 622 satisfiesa plurality of target power outputs of a target power delivery profileover a time period. The CEMS 611 may receive the target power deliveryprofile from the grid 655. The target power delivery profile may bebased on grid requirements. The target power delivery profile may bebased on a power delivery capacity of the CSPP. The target powerdelivery profile may be based on a power purchase agreement (PPA). Theplurality of target power outputs may be amounts of power required atdifferent times. The time period may be a day and the different times ofthe time period may be hours in the day. In an example, the CEMS 611 maydetermine the CSPP output such that the CSPP output is equal to adifference between the output of the plurality of LSORs 622 and thetarget power delivery profile. The CEMS 611 may determine the CSPPoutput for each different time of the time period. For example, the CEMS611 may determine the CSPP output for each hour of a day as the CEMS 611collects data such as real-time data such as irradiance data for therespective hours.

The CEMS 611 may determine a CSPP RES output and an ESS charge/dischargerequired to achieve the required CSPP output at the different times ofthe time period. The CEMS 611 may, in real time, adjust an RES setpointof the CSPP RES inverter 625 and an ESS setpoint of the ESS inverter 627to achieve the determined CSPP RES output and CSPP ESS charge/discharge.At each different time of the time period, the CEMS 611 may adjust theRES setpoint of the CSPP RES inverter 625 and the ESS setpoint of theESS inverter 627 to achieve the determined CSPP RES output and CSPP ESScharge/discharge. The CEMS 611 may, each time the CSPP output isdetermined for each different time of the time period, determine theCSPP RES output and the ESS charge/discharge and adjust the RES setpointand the ESS setpoint to achieve the determined CSPP RES output and theESS charge/discharge to achieve the determined CSPP output. In anexample, the CEMS 611 may determine the CSPP each hour of a day anddetermine the CSPP RES out and the ESS charge/discharge and adjust theRES setpoint and the ESS setpoint accordingly each hour.

The CSPP may smooth out fluctuations in the combined power output of theplurality of LSORs 622 and the CSPP over the time period. Fluctuationsmay arise due to the passage of clouds between solar arrays of theplurality of LSORs 622. Movement of clouds over large solarinstallations, such as utility-scale installations, and/or rooftop solarunits of the plurality of LSORs 622 may substantially affect the outputof the plurality of LSORs. The CEMS 611 may model the effects of cloudmovement and control the CSPP to offset these power fluctuations.

FIG. 7 is an example counter-solar power plant (CSPP) connected to apower grid to which are connected a plurality of LSORs 722, where acounter-solar energy management system receives meter data from meters760 associated with the plurality of LSORs. The meters 760 may bereal-time meters that measure power output and transmit measurements ofpower output as they are collected. The CSPP may be the CSPP of FIG. 5 .The interconnection infrastructure 750 may be the interconnectioninfrastructure 550 of FIG. 5 . The grid 755 may be the grid 555 of FIG.5 . The plurality of LSORs 722 may be the plurality of LSORs 522 of FIG.5 .

The meters 760 may be associated with the plurality of LSORs 722. Insome embodiments, the meters 760 may transmit meter data to the CEMS711. In other embodiments, the CEMS 711 may receive the meter data froma meter data feed 770. The meter data feed 770 may be associated with anentity to which the meters 760 transmit the meter data. The entity maybe the grid 755, a dedicated metering system, or another entity. Themeters 760 may transmit the meter data in real time, or as it iscollected.

In some embodiments, the CEMS 711 may aggregate the output of each LSORof the plurality of LSORs 760 using the meter data to determine anoutput of the plurality of LSORs 760. For example, each respective LSORof the plurality of LSORs 760 may be associated with a smart meter whichmeasures the output of the respective LSOR. Aggregating the output ofeach LSOR may include adding the measured output of each LSOR todetermine the output of the plurality of LSORs 760. In otherembodiments, the CEMS 711 may determine the output of the plurality ofLSORs 722 using meter data from a subset of LSORs of the plurality ofLSORs associated with the meters 760. The CEMS 711 may comparecharacteristics of the subset of the plurality of LSORs 722 to each ofthe plurality of LSORs not of the subset that do not include a real-timemetering system and calculate outputs for each of the plurality of LSORsnot of the subset that do not include a real-time metering system. Areal-time metering system is or may include a meter that collects poweroutput data and transmits that data as it is collected. The comparedcharacteristics may include output capacity, conversion factor,location, and other characteristics. For example, a first LSOR includesa real-time metering system and is part of the subset and a second LSORdoes not include a real-time metering system and is not part of thesubset. The first LSOR and the second LSOR may have the same size,output capacity, conversion factor, orientation, and be located onadjacent rooftops. Due to the similarity of the first LSOR and thesecond LSOR, the output of the second LSOR can be estimated as beingequal to the output of the first LSOR. In this example, the first LSORand the second LSOR may be matched based on characteristics of the firstLSOR and the second LSOR. In some embodiments, the CEMS 711 matches thefirst LSOR and the second LSOR based on stored characteristics of thefirst LSOR and the second LSOR. In other embodiments, the first LSOR andthe second LSOR are pre-matched, and the CEMS 711 retrieves the matchdata to determine the estimated output of the second LSOR based on theoutput of the first LSOR. In another example, characteristics of thesubset of the plurality of LSORs may be compared to outputs of thesubset to determine what effect each characteristic has on output.Weights are assigned to characteristics based on their effect on output.The weights are applied to characteristics of the LSORs not of thesubset to estimate their output.

In an example, the plurality of LSORs 722 are rooftop solar modulesdistributed throughout a city. A subset of the plurality of LSORs 722are associated with meters 760 which track the outputs of each LSOR ofthe subset. Due to the plurality of LSORs 722 being in the same city,each LSOR of the plurality of LSORs 722 experiences similar atmospherichaze, irradiance, and weather patterns. Thus, the outputs of the subsetof the plurality of LSORs associated with meters enable modeling of anestimated output of the plurality of LSORs.

The CEMS 711 may, in real time, determine a CSPP output such that acombined CSPP output and the output of the plurality of LSORs 722satisfies a plurality of target power outputs of a target power deliveryprofile. The CEMS 611 may receive the target power delivery profile fromthe grid 755. The target power delivery profile may be based on gridrequirements. The target power delivery profile may be based on a powerdelivery capacity of the CSPP. The target power delivery profile may bebased on a power purchase agreement (PPA). The plurality of target poweroutputs may be amounts of power required at different times. In anexample, the CEMS 611 may determine the CSPP output such that the CSPPoutput is equal to a difference between the output of the plurality ofLSORs 722 and the target power delivery profile.

The CEMS 711 may determine a CSPP RES output and an ESS charge/dischargerequired to achieve the required CSPP output. The CEMS 711 may, in realtime, adjust an RES setpoint of the CSPP RES inverter 725 and an ESSsetpoint of the ESS inverter 727 to achieve the determined CSPP RESoutput and CSPP ESS charge/discharge.

The CSPP may smooth out fluctuations in the combined power output of theplurality of LSORs 722 and the CSPP over the time period. Fluctuationsmay arise due to the passage of clouds between solar arrays of theplurality of LSORs 722. Movement of clouds over large solarinstallations, such as utility-scale installations, and/or rooftop solarunits of the plurality of LSORs 722 may substantially affect the outputof the plurality of LSORs. The CEMS 711 may model the effects of cloudmovement and control the CSPP to offset these power fluctuations.

FIG. 8 is an example flowchart 800 illustrating operations forcontrolling a CSPP, in accordance with one or more embodiments.Additional, fewer, or different operations may be performed in themethod, depending on the embodiment. Further, the operations may beperformed in the order shown, concurrently, or in a different order.

At 810, a CSPP controller receives data associated with power outputs ofa plurality of LSORs. In some embodiments, the data may includeirradiance data collected near the plurality of LSORs. The irradiancedata may be collected by irradiance sensors located near the pluralityof LSORs. The irradiance sensors may be located near first LSORs and notnear second LSORs of the plurality of LSORs. The irradiance sensors maybe incorporated into the plurality of LSORs or separate from theplurality of LSORs. The irradiance data may be collected in real-time.In other embodiments, the data may include metering data of a subset ofthe plurality of LSORs that each include a real-time metering system. Inyet other embodiments, the data may include historic output data of theplurality of LSORs. The historic output data may include parameters ofthe historic output data such as date, season, weather, LSOR status, andirradiance.

At 820, the CSPP controller determines an estimated power output of theplurality of LSORs based on the received data. In some embodiments, thedata may include irradiance data collected near the plurality of LSORsand determining the estimated power output of the plurality of LSORsincludes calculating an expected output for each LSOR of the pluralityof LSORs based on the irradiance data and aggregating the expected poweroutput for each LSOR to determine the estimated power output of theplurality of LSORs. Calculating the expected output for each LSOR of theplurality of LSORs may include calculating an irradiance for eachrespective LSOR of the plurality of LSORs using the irradiance data andcalculating the expected power for each respective LSOR based on aconversion efficiency of the respective LSOR.

In other embodiments, the data may include outputs measured at a subsetof the plurality of LSORs that each include a real-time metering systemand determining the estimated power output of the plurality of LSORsincludes comparing characteristics of the subset of the plurality ofLSORs to each of the plurality of LSORs not of the subset that do notinclude a real-time metering system, and calculating outputs for each ofthe plurality of LSORs that do not include a real-time metering system.The compared characteristics may include output capacity, conversionfactor, location, and other characteristics. For example, a first LSORincludes a real-time metering system and is part of the subset and asecond LSOR does not include a real-time metering system and is not partof the subset. The first LSOR and the second LSOR may have the samesize, output capacity, conversion factor, orientation, and be located onadjacent rooftops. Due to the similarity of the first LSOR and thesecond LSOR, the output of the second LSOR can be estimated as beingequal to the output of the first LSOR. In another example,characteristics of the subset of the plurality of LSORs may be comparedto outputs of the subset to determine what effect each characteristichas on output. Weights are assigned to characteristics based on theireffect on output. The weights are applied to characteristics of theLSORs not of the subset to estimate their output.

In yet other embodiments, the data may include historic output data ofthe plurality of LSORs and the determining the estimated power output ofthe plurality of LSORs includes calculating an expected power output foreach LSOR of the plurality of LSORs based on the historic output dataand aggregating the expected power output for each LSOR to determine theestimated power output of the plurality of LSORs. For example, a firstLSOR has historic output data showing an output on a calendar day acrossmultiple years. The expected output of the first LSOR for the calendarday may be an average of the historic outputs for the calendar day.Calculating the expected power output for each LSOR of the plurality ofLSORs may include determining a formula describing a relationshipbetween past parameters of each of the LSORs and historic outputs ofeach of the LSORs and executing the formula using currentcharacteristics of each of the LSORs as input. For example, parametersof the LSORs may include conversion factor, local weather, cloudpatterns, maintenance status, and other parameters. Current parametersmay be compared to past parameters to select a day when the pastparameters were most similar to the current parameters. The expectedpower output can be estimated to be equal to the historic output of theday when the past parameters were most similar to the currentparameters. In another example, weights are assigned to past parametersbased on their effect on the output. The weights are applied to thecurrent parameters to calculate the expected power output. In yetanother example, the current parameters of each LSOR of the plurality ofLSORs are compared to past parameters associated with the historicoutput data and a similarity score is generated for each set of pastparameters based on similarity to the current parameters of each LSOR.The current parameters of each LSOR are matched with a set of pastparameters satisfying (e.g., exceeding and/or reaching) a similaritythreshold and the expected power output for each LSOR is set equal to apast power output associated with the matching set of past parameters.

At 830, the CSPP controller obtains a target power delivery profile ofthe plurality of LSORs, the target power delivery profile including aplurality of target power outputs. The target power delivery profile ofthe plurality of LSORs may be a target power delivery profile for theplurality of LSORs when supplemented by the CSPP. The target powerdelivery profile may be based on grid requirements. The target powerdelivery profile may be based on a power delivery capacity of the CSPP.The target power delivery profile may be based on a power purchaseagreement (PPA). The plurality of target power outputs may be amounts ofpower required at different times.

At 840, the CSPP controller determines an output of a CSPP RES and acharge/discharge of a CSPP ESS such that a combined output of the CSPPand the plurality of LSORs satisfies at least one of the plurality oftarget power outputs of the target power delivery profile. In anexample, the CSPP controller subtracts the estimated power output of theplurality of LSORs from the target power delivery profile to determine aCSPP output. The CSPP output is the sum of the CSPP RES output and theCSPP ESS charge/discharge. The CSPP RES output and the CSPP ESScharge/discharge are determined to achieve the CSPP output. In someembodiments, the CSPP ESS has a power capacity equal to or greater thanthe plurality of target power output of the target power deliveryprofile. The CSPP ESS may have a storage capacity equal to an amount ofenergy necessary to meet the plurality of target power outputs. In someembodiments, the CSPP RES includes a plurality of RESs and the CSPP ESSincludes a plurality of ESSs and the controller is configured to adjustRES setpoints of the plurality of RESs and ESSs setpoints of theplurality of ESSs to achieve an aggregate CSPP RES output equal to thedetermined CSPP RES output and an aggregate CSPP ESS output equal to thedetermined CSPP ESS charge/discharge. The RES setpoints may be setpointsfor RES inverters. The ESS setpoints may be setpoints for ESS inverters.In some embodiments, each RES is coupled to an RES inverter and each ESSis coupled to an ESS inverter. In other embodiments, each RES inverteris coupled to two or more RESs and each ESS inverter is coupled to twoor more ESSs.

At 850, the CSPP controller controls the CSPP RES output and the CSPPESS according to the determined CSPP RES and CSPP ESS charge/discharge.Controlling the CSPP RES and the CSPP ESS includes adjusting an RESsetpoint of an RES inverter coupled to the CSPP RES and an ESS setpointof an ESS inverter coupled to the CSPP ESS to achieve the determinedCSPP RES output and CSPP ESS charge/discharge. The ESS inverter may bebidirectional, allowing for the ESS to be charged by the RES and for theESS to discharge power to the grid. In some embodiments, determining thecharge/discharge of the CSPP ESS includes determining a charge/dischargeschedule for the CSPP ESS. The charge/discharge schedule may be updatedbased on an updated estimated power output of the plurality of LSORs. Inother embodiments, determining the CSPP RES output and CSPP ESScharge/discharge is done in real-time.

FIG. 9 is an example flowchart illustrating operations for constructingand controlling a CSPP, in accordance with one or more embodiments.Additional, fewer, or different operations may be performed in themethod, depending on the embodiment. Further, the operations may beperformed in the order shown, concurrently, or in a different order.

At 910, an LSOR power delivery profile is obtained. The LSOR powerdelivery profile may be based on historic LSOR output data. For example,an LSOR has historic output data showing output on a calendar day. Thepower delivery profile of the LSOR for the calendar day may be anaverage of the historic outputs for the calendar day. The LSOR powerdelivery profile may change day by day. For example, the LSOR powerdelivery profile may be different for each calendar day, based onhistoric outputs associated with each respective calendar day. The LSORpower delivery profile may be an average or an aggregation of aplurality of LSOR power delivery profiles for different days. Forexample, the LSOR power delivery may be an average of all LSOR powerdelivery profiles for a calendar week, a calendar month, a season, ayear, or any period of time.

At 920, an LSOR target power delivery profile is obtained. The LSORtarget power delivery profile may include a plurality of target poweroutputs. The LSOR target power delivery profile may be a target powerdelivery profile for the LSOR when supplemented by a CSPP. The LSORtarget power delivery profile may be based on grid requirements. TheLSOR target power delivery profile may be based on a power deliverycapacity of the CSPP. The LSOR target power delivery profile may bebased on a power purchase agreement (PPA). The plurality of target poweroutputs may be amounts of power required at different times.

At 930, an RES power output capacity and an ESS storage capacity aredetermined based on the LSOR power delivery profile and the LSOR targetpower delivery profile. In some embodiments, the RES power outputcapacity is determined to be equal to an amount of energy required tosatisfy the LSOR target power delivery profile, minus the LSOR powerdelivery profile. In an example, the LSOR target power delivery profilerequires 10,000 Megawatt hours over the course of a day and the LSORpower delivery profile delivers 5,000 Megawatt hours over the course ofthe day. The RES power output capacity may be 5,000 Megawatt hours overthe course of the day. The RES power output capacity may be higher toaccount for transmission losses, variations in RES output, andvariations in LSOR output. This RES power output capacity allows the RESto provide an amount of power required to satisfy the LSOR target powerdelivery profile when combined with the LSOR power delivery profile.

The ESS storage capacity is determined based on how much power must bestored in order to shift the RES output in time to satisfy the targetpower delivery profile. In an example, the RES is a solar array with apower output profile similar to the LSOR power delivery profile. Even ifthe RES power output capacity is sufficiently high to produce an amountof power required to satisfy the LSOR target power delivery profile whencombined with the LSOR power delivery profile, the RES may not providepower at the correct times to satisfy the LSOR target power deliveryprofile. The ESS storage capacity may be determined to store RES outputwhen it is not needed to satisfy the target power delivery profile andprovide power when it is needed to satisfy the target power deliveryprofile. In an example, the LSOR target power delivery profile requires10,000 Megawatt hours over the course of a day and the LSOR powerdelivery profile delivers 5,000 Megawatt hours over the course of theday. The RES power output capacity is 5,000 Megawatt hours over thecourse of the day, but due to the RES power delivery profile, 3,000 ofthe 5,000-Megawatt hours of the RES power output capacity are deliveredat time that do not server to satisfy the LSOR target delivery profile.The ESS storage capacity may be 3,000 Megawatt hours. The ESS storagecapacity may be higher to account for transmission losses, variations inRES output, and variations in LSOR output. This ESS storage capacityallows the ESS and RES to provide power to satisfy the LSOR target powerdelivery profile when combined by the LSOR power delivery profile.

At 940, A counter-solar power plant (CSPP) is constructed including anRES having the determined RES power output capacity, an ESS having thedetermined ESS storage capacity, and a controller configured to controla power output of the RES and a charge/discharge of the ESS such that acombined CSPP-LSOR output satisfies the target power delivery profile.Controlling the CSPP RES and the CSPP ESS may include adjusting an RESsetpoint of an RES inverter coupled to the CSPP RES and adjusting an ESSsetpoint of a bidirectional ESS inverter coupled to the CSPP ESS, asdiscussed herein.

FIG. 10 is an example output 1000 of an example LSOR, in accordance withone or more embodiments. The “hour” axis may denote hours in a day. The“power” axis may denote output as a percentage of the LSORinterconnection infrastructure transmission capacity. The output 1000may be a power output profile 1000 of the LSOR. The output 1000 may bean LSOR power output profile showing a weighted average of multiple daysof output or a representative day of output. The LSOR may be a solararray. The output 1000 may be zero until sunrise, when the solar arraybegins to produce power. The output 1000 may rise until it reaches thetransmission capacity or an output capacity of the LSOR, at which pointit flattens. The output 1000 may fall in the afternoon until it reacheszero around sunset. The output 1000 is zero at night until the followingmorning.

FIG. 11 is an example combined output 1100 of an example CSPP and anexample LSOR, in accordance with one or more embodiments. The “hour”axis may denote hours in a day. The “power” axis may denote output as apercentage of the LSOR interconnection infrastructure transmissioncapacity. The combined output 1100 may be a combination of an LSORoutput 1110 and a CSPP output 1120. The LSOR output 1110 may be the LSORoutput 1000 of FIG. 10 . FIG. 11 may show a combined output 900 for theCSPP and LSOR of FIGS. 2-4 .

The CSPP output 1120 may complement the LSOR output 1110 such that thecombined output 1100 is consistent and smooth. The CSPP output 1120 maybe the output of a CSPP RES and CSPP ESS, where the CSPP ESS isconfigured to store power produced by the CSPP RES and output the storedpower. The CSPP output is the sum of the CSPP RES output and the CSPPESS charge/discharge. The CSPP RES may be a solar array with an outputsimilar to the LSOR output 1110. The CSPP ESS may store the CSPP RESoutput for later use. Around noon, when the LSOR output 1110 is equal tothe transmission capacity, the entirety of the CSPP RES output isavailable to charge the CSPP ESS and the CSPP output 1120 may be zero.The CSPP RES output is either being directed to the grid as CSPP output1120, being used to charge the CSPP ESS, split between the grid and theCSPP ESS, or being curtailed. Energy stored in the CSPP ESS may bedischarged to the grid as needed.

The CSPP RES and CSPP ESS may be tuned to complement the LSOR output1110. The CSPP RES and CSPP ESS may be tuned to complement the LSORoutput 1110 such that the combined output 1100 provides consistent powerfor a time interval such as from 4:00 to 21:00. The CSPP RES may betuned to have an output capacity equal to the LSOR transmission capacityfor the time interval minus the LSOR output 1110 for the time interval.The CSPP ESS may be tuned to store the power equal to the CSPP RESoutput capacity for the time interval minus the CSPP output 1120 for thetime interval. The tuned CSPP RES and CSPP ESS may be able to produceand store sufficient power to provide the CSPP output 1120 for the timeinterval to complement the LSOR output 1110 for the time interval suchthat the combined output 1100 is consistent for the time interval.

FIG. 12 is another example combined output 1200 of an example CSPP andan example LSOR, in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG. 12 mayshow a combined output 1200 for the CSPP and LSOR of FIG. 8 for a daywhen the LSOR output 1210 is inconsistent. FIG. 12 may show a combinedoutput 1200 for the CSPP and LSOR of FIGS. 2-4 for a day when the LSORoutput 1210 is inconsistent. The LSOR output 1210 may be inconsistentdue to clouds passing over the solar array of the LSOR, due tomaintenance, or other factors. The CSPP output 1220 may be adjusted inreal time to complement the LSOR output 1210, as described herein. Thecombined output 1200 may not be consistent for the entire time intervalof 4:00 to 21:00 as it was in FIG. 8 . The combined output 1200 may havea priority to maintain consistent output for as long as possible or tomaintain consistent output for the time interval as consistently aspossible. FIG. 12 shows the combined output 1200 having a priority tomaintain consistent output for as long as possible, maintaining thecombined output 1200 at peak output until shortly before 21:00.

In an example, afternoon clouds disrupt the LSOR output 1210 betweennoon and 2:00 pm and between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm. The CSPP output 1220may increase to offset the reduced output of the LSOR. The CSPP output1220 may be able to be increase because the CSPP has greater outputcapacity than the LSOR and the CSPP includes an ESS having storedenergy. The CSPP output 1220 may be reduced due to the clouds as well,meaning that the ESS of the CSPP is fully discharged earlier than itwould be if the CSPP output 1220 were not affected by the clouds.However, total power production remains steady through the afternoon andearly evening. This is advantageous because a grid operator may bealerted to the reduced CSPP output 1220 and LSOR output 1210 and mayplan for additional power output from other sources to be used once theCSPP ESS is fully depleted.

FIG. 13 is another example output 1300 of an example LSOR, in accordancewith one or more embodiments. The LSOR output 1300 is an output of anLSOR having a solar array incorporating solar trackers. The solartrackers allow the LSOR output 1300 to rise earlier and reach the peakoutput earlier in the day, as compared to the output 1000 of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 14 is yet another example combined output 1400 of an example CSPPand an example LSOR, in accordance with one or more embodiments. Thecombined output 1400 is a combination of an LSOR output 1410 and a CSPPoutput 1420. The LSOR output 1410 may be the LSOR output 1300 of FIG. 13. The CSPP output 1420 may complement the LSOR output 1410, as describedherein. Due to the increased LSOR output 1410, the combined output 1400may be consistent for longer than the combined output 1100 of FIG. 11 .The combined output 1400 may be consistent about 4:00 to 23:00.

In an illustrative embodiment, any of the operations described hereincan be implemented at least in part as computer-readable instructionsstored on a computer-readable memory. Upon execution of thecomputer-readable instructions by a processor, the computer-readableinstructions can cause a node, such as a computing node or a power plantnode, to perform the operations.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can beimplemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or“operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interactingcomponents and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactablecomponents.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” Further, unlessotherwise noted, the use of the words “approximate,” “about,” “around,”“similar,” “substantially,” etc., mean plus or minus ten percent.

The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended tobe exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise form disclosed,and modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments.It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claimsappended hereto and their equivalents.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that thoseskilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the presentdisclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they mayreadily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifyingother processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/orachieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein.Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, andalterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power plant comprising: a first power plantincluding a power source, an energy storage system (ESS), and acontroller configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, theinstructions including operations comprising: receiving data associatedwith a power output of a legacy resource including a renewable powersource and a transformer connected to an interconnection infrastructureby which power is delivered to an electric grid; determining anestimated power output of the legacy resource based on the receiveddata; obtaining a target power delivery profile including a plurality oftarget power outputs each indicating a target amount of power to bedelivered at different times of a time period; determining an output ofthe first power plant to the transformer of the legacy resource and acharge/discharge of the ESS such that a combined output of the firstpower plant and the estimated power output of the legacy resourcesatisfies at least one of the plurality of target power outputs of thetarget power delivery profile throughout the time period; and during thetime period, adjusting an ESS setpoint of the ESS to achieve thedetermined ESS charge/discharge.
 2. The power plant of claim 1, whereinreceiving the data associated with the power output of the legacyresource comprises receiving the data at different times during the timeperiod, and wherein determining the estimated power output of the legacyresource comprises determining the estimated power output at each of thedifferent times based on the received data.
 3. The power plant of claim2, wherein receiving the data associated with the power output of thelegacy resource comprises receiving data associated with a plurality oflegacy resources, and wherein the data associated with the power outputsof the plurality of legacy resources includes outputs measured by areal-time metering system at each legacy resource of the plurality oflegacy resources, and wherein the operations comprise aggregating themeasured outputs to calculate an estimated power output of the pluralityof legacy resources, and wherein the output of the first power plant andthe charge/discharge of the ESS are determined using the estimated poweroutput of the plurality of legacy resources.
 4. The power plant of claim2, wherein receiving the data associated with the power output of thelegacy resource comprises receiving data associated with a plurality oflegacy resources, and wherein the data associated with the power outputsof the plurality of legacy resources includes irradiance data collectednear the plurality of legacy resources, and wherein the operationscomprise: calculating an expected power output for each legacy resourceof the plurality of legacy resources based on the irradiance data, andaggregating the expected power output for each legacy resource todetermine an estimated power output of the plurality of legacyresources, wherein the output of the first power plant and thecharge/discharge of the ESS are determined using the estimated poweroutput of the plurality of legacy resources.
 5. The power plant of claim4, wherein the operations comprise calculating the expected power outputfor each respective legacy resource of the plurality of legacy resourcesbased on the irradiance data by calculating an irradiance for eachrespective legacy resource of the plurality of legacy resources usingthe irradiance data and calculating the expected output for eachrespective legacy resource based on a conversion efficiency of therespective legacy resource.
 6. The power plant of claim 1, whereinreceiving the data associated with the power output of the legacyresource comprises receiving data associated with a plurality of legacyresources, and wherein the data associated with the power outputs of theplurality of legacy resources includes historic output data of theplurality of legacy resources and wherein the operations comprise:calculating an expected power output for each legacy resource of theplurality of legacy resources based at least in part on the historicoutput data; and aggregating the expected power output for each legacyresource to determine the estimated power output of the plurality oflegacy resources, wherein the output of the first power plant and thecharge/discharge of the ESS are determined using the estimated poweroutput of the plurality of legacy resources.
 7. The power plant of claim6, wherein the operations comprise calculating the expected power outputfor each legacy resource of the plurality of legacy resources based onthe historic output data by: comparing current parameters of each of thelegacy resources to past parameters associated with the historic outputdata and generating a similarity score for each set of past parametersbased on similarity to the current parameters of each legacy resource;matching sets of past parameters to the current parameters based on thesets of past parameters satisfying a similarity threshold; and settingthe expected power output for each legacy resource to a past poweroutput associated with the matching set of past parameters.
 8. The powerplant of claim 2, wherein receiving the data associated with the poweroutput of the legacy resource comprises receiving data associated with aplurality of legacy resources, and wherein the data associated with thepower outputs of the plurality of legacy resources includes outputsmeasured at a subset of the plurality of legacy resources that eachinclude a real-time metering system, and wherein the operationscomprise: comparing characteristics of the subset of the plurality oflegacy resources to each of the plurality of legacy resources not of thesubset that do not include a real-time metering system; and calculatingoutputs for each of the plurality of legacy resources not of the subsetbased on the compared characteristics, wherein the controller isconfigured to calculate the estimated power output of the plurality oflegacy resources using the measured outputs of the subset and thecalculated outputs of the plurality of legacy resources not of thesubset, wherein the output of the first power plant and thecharge/discharge of the ESS are determined using the estimated poweroutput of the plurality of legacy resources.
 9. The power plant of claim1, wherein the first power plant is connected to an interconnectioninfrastructure of the legacy resource.
 10. The power plant of claim 1,wherein the first power plant has a power capacity equal to or greaterthan the plurality of target power outputs of the target power deliveryprofile.
 11. The power plant of claim 1, wherein the first power plantcomprises a plurality of power plants and the ESS comprises a pluralityof ESSs, and the operations comprise adjusting power plant setpoints ofthe plurality of power plants and ESS setpoints of the plurality of ESSsto achieve an aggregate power plant output equal to the determined powerplant output and an aggregate ESS output equal to the determined ESScharge/discharge.
 12. A method comprising: receiving, by a controllerexecuting instructions stored in a memory, data associated with a poweroutput of a legacy resource including a renewable power source and atransformer connected to an interconnection infrastructure by whichpower is delivered to an electric grid; determining, by the controller,an estimated power output of the legacy resource based on the receiveddata; obtaining, by the controller, a target power delivery profile, thetarget power delivery profile including a plurality of target poweroutputs to deliver at different times of a time period; determining, bythe controller, an output of the first power plant to the transformer ofthe legacy resource and a charge/discharge of the ESS such that acombined output of the first power plant and the estimated power outputof the legacy resource satisfies at least one of the plurality of targetpower outputs of the target power delivery profile throughout the timeperiod; and during the time period, adjusting, by the controller, an ESSsetpoint of the ESS to achieve the determined ESS charge/discharge. 13.The method of claim 12, wherein receiving the data associated with thepower output of the legacy resource comprises receiving the data atdifferent times during the time period, and wherein determining theestimated power output of the legacy resource comprises determining theestimated power output at each of the different times based on thereceived data.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving the dataassociated with the power output of the legacy resource comprisesreceiving data associated with a plurality of legacy resources, andwherein the data associated with the power outputs of the plurality oflegacy resources includes outputs measured by a real-time meteringsystem at each legacy resource of the plurality of legacy resources, andwherein the controller is configured to aggregate the measured outputsto calculate the estimated power output of the plurality of legacyresources, and wherein the output of the first power plant and thecharge/discharge of the ESS are determined using the estimated poweroutput of the plurality of legacy resources.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein receiving the data associated with the power output of thelegacy resource comprises receiving data associated with a plurality oflegacy resources, and wherein the data associated with the power outputsof the plurality of legacy resources includes irradiance data collectednear the plurality of legacy resources, the method further comprisingcalculating an expected power output for each legacy resource of theplurality of legacy resources based on the irradiance data andaggregating the expected power output for each legacy resource todetermine the estimated power output of the plurality of legacyresources, and wherein the output of the first power plant and thecharge/discharge of the ESS are determined using the estimated poweroutput of the plurality of legacy resources.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein calculating the expected power output for each legacy resourceof the plurality of legacy resources based on the irradiance datacomprises calculating an irradiance for each legacy resource of theplurality of legacy resources using the irradiance data and calculatingthe expected power output for each legacy resource using the irradiancefor each legacy resource and a conversion efficiency of each legacyresource.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving the dataassociated with the power output of the legacy resource comprisesreceiving data associated with a plurality of legacy resources, andwherein the data associated with the power outputs of the plurality oflegacy resources includes historic output data of the plurality oflegacy resources and wherein the method further comprises calculating anexpected power output for each legacy resource of the plurality oflegacy resources based at least in part on the historic output data andaggregating the expected power output for each legacy resource todetermine the estimated power output of the plurality of legacyresources, and wherein the output of the first power plant and thecharge/discharge of the first power plant are determined using theestimated power output of the plurality of legacy resources.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein calculating the expected power output foreach legacy resource of the plurality of legacy resources based on thehistoric output data comprises: comparing current parameters of eachlegacy resource of the plurality of legacy resources to past parametersassociated with the historic output data and generating a similarityscore for each set of past parameters based on similarity to the currentparameters of each legacy resource; matching a set of past parameters tothe current parameters based on the set of past parameters satisfying asimilarity threshold; and setting the expected power output for eachlegacy resource to a past power output associated with the matching setof past parameters.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein receiving thedata associated with the power output of the legacy resource comprisesreceiving data associated with a plurality of legacy resources, andwherein the data associated with the power outputs of the plurality oflegacy resources includes outputs measured at a subset of the pluralityof legacy resources that each include a real-time metering system, andwherein the method further comprises: comparing characteristics of thesubset of the plurality of legacy resources to each of the plurality oflegacy resources not of the subset that do not include a real-timemetering system; calculating outputs for each of the plurality of legacyresources not of the subset based on the compared characteristics; andcalculating the estimated power output of the plurality of legacyresources using the measured outputs of the subset and the calculatedoutputs of the plurality of legacy resources not of the subset, whereinthe output of the first power plant and the charge/discharge of the ESSare determined using the estimated power output of the plurality oflegacy resources.